Acne Products on the Market Today
Mild to moderate acne can be controlled with a large variety of acne products, but few products can make you completely acne free. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common acne treatments and can be safely used by nearly anyone. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria that causes acne while also drying your skin. Products with benzoyl peroxide can be used by people with a many different skin tones and is very effective at treating mild to moderate acne on the face.
Acne products that contain sulfur can also help people with mild to moderate acne. Sulfur is very effective because it unclogs the pores by removing dead cells while also promoting the healing process. Some sulfur products have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients to reduce redness and swelling while further preventing acne break outs.
Some acne products use salicylic acid as an agent to exfoliate. Salicylic acid is known for its ability to keep the pores from becoming clogged and for preventing future outbreaks. The drawback to this agent is that it is very strong for skin treatment and shouldn't be used on the face or other sensitive parts of the body.
For severe acne, a dermatologist's help may be needed to become free from acne. Accutane and Retin-A are two common acne products that are very effective, but have a long list of very serious potential side effects. One should seriously consider the possible repercussions of using these prescription acne treatments.
Antibiotics can also be used to control severe acne by fighting the bacterial infection at the source. Of the main antibiotics used against severe acne, Minocycline, has the most severe side effects, while the others are much gentler. Compared to other prescription acne products, the newer, gentler antibiotics may be the best option for many people.
Although strong acne products work well against severe acne, some acne sufferers may actually make their acne worse by attempting to "pop" pimples prematurely. When a person does this, there is a chance that the pimple will break into the skin instead of outwards. When this happens, the infection goes deeper, forming a cystic nodule, which is the most severe type of acne.
Whether you have severe acne outbreaks or the occasional blemish, the key factor in fighting acne is knowing the basics of proper skin care and applying a proper routine. The best acne products in the world will not help if you do not take care of your skin first. A good combination of basic care, supplemented with the right acne products will increase your chances for clearer skin.